FLEXI LEARNING AND TELEHEALTH AT FIJI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
New Flexible Learning and Telehealth Unit at the FSM will
increase access of Distance Consultation and Distance Education
to Pacific Health Professionals.
The Fiji School of Medicine is on the verge of launching its
Flexible Learning and Telehealth Unit. The Unit will be
established through F$ 350,000 (US$ 153,528) of assistance from
the Australian Government as part of AusAID support to
postgraduate training at the FSM.
The telehealth activities overseen by the Unit will be delivered
through assistance from an award from Ericsson Electronics worth
F$ 220,000 (US$ 96,503).
Additional funding from other regional and international donors
is anticipated and will allow for the development of a wide
range of related services.
These developments allow the FSM to move a step closer to
realizing the goals of a Flexible Learning Program and a
Telehealth Program that will see health training and telehealth
services made more accessible to health professionals from
throughout the region.
The planned telehealth services are designed as an Internet-
based resource, which is nearing completion and will provide
support in the three areas of:* Distance Education,
* Distance Consultation, and * Distance Health-related Information
The service is being designed around a "one-stop-shopping web-page."
To ensure equity for those without the Internet, the service
will develop complementary access via email, facsimile or telephone.
"Flexible Learning" is a process of learning and teaching that
is learner-focused and that applies teaching modes that best
serve the learner through accessibility and relevance.
Distance Education is one of the delivery formats for Flexible Learning.
Distance Education
In line with the Flexible Learning objectives, health-training
programs will be made available through the FSM to health
professionals throughout the Pacific in various ways and using
different technologies including paper-based distance delivery,
the use of "summer" schools, and the use of computer-based CD-
ROM and web-based methods.
With assistance from the Extension unit at the University of the
South Pacific, the FSM is developing distance-capable Courses in
several undergraduate and postgraduate disciplines.
Eventually, on-line training, short-courses, "summer schools,"
visiting lectureships, and other flexible learning methods will
allow health professionals in the region to study at a distance
in various health professional areas, some via links provided
through the Telehealth Program organized as a "Pacific HealthNet."
These types of activities will benefit those who cannot take the
time off from work for full-time study and who need to upgrade
their skills and qualifications.Distance Consultation
Managed by the FSM and in collaboration with a pool of
consultants, Pacific health professionals will have access to
distance consultation from their peers, specialists and experts
from throughout the region with information, data and imagery
being able to be shared electronically.
This is similar to telemedicine services being offered in other
parts of the world, but will offer a wider range of consultation
services including those in the areas of public health and allied
health.
Distance Health-related Information
The establishment of this service will see an increased access
to appropriate health-related information designed to meet the
needs of health professionals in the Pacific.
This will allow remote providers to access information not
otherwise available for their own professional development, to
assist in the care of their patients, and for the development of
relevant programs, policies and projects.
This activity will also increase networking between health
professionals throughout the Pacific region.Benefits
The efforts of the FSM in the delivery of flexible learning and
telehealth services through its Flexible Learning and Telehealth
Unit will assist in overcoming the common problem of physical
and professional isolation.
This activity also addresses the key issues of affordability of
services and training, and the need to increase interaction
between health professionals in the region.
The beneficiaries of these new services and related developments
at the FSM will be the health professionals in the Pacific
region and those that they serve.
The FSM is looking at the end of May of this year for the
initiation of these programs.For further information Contact:Rodney YEE
Manager - Development and MarketingFiji School of MedicineHoodless
HouseSUVAFIJI
Ph: 311 700Email: rodney_y@fsm.ac.fj
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